Guadalupe Center applying for USDA food program at new Monaghan campus

NAPLES, Fla. - Dec. 22, 2020 - PRLog -- Guadalupe Center has announced its intention to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child Care Food Program at its new Monaghan Family Early Childhood Education Campus.

The federally funded program reimburses child care providers for serving nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children. The program operates similar to the free and reduced-price meal program in public schools. Regulations allow public and private nonprofit child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, Head Start programs and other licensed institutions to participate.

Students attending Guadalupe Center's Morgridge Family Early Childhood Education Campus and The Martin Foundation Campus at Lake Trafford Elementary already are eligible for meals and snacks.

"A strong academic program is just one part a child's overall development," said Dawn Montecalvo, president of Guadalupe Center. "You can't build a strong mind without a strong body, and offering healthy, nutritious meals and snacks ensures our students are getting their recommended vitamins and minerals to help grow their minds and bodies."

In 2019, Guadalupe Center earned gold-level recognition from the Florida Early Care & Education Recognition Program for its exemplary efforts to implement strategies that help prevent childhood obesity.

About Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center (https://www.guadalupecenter.org/) is a purpose-driven, nonprofit organization with proven results in creating endless possibilities for the students of Immokalee through education and fostering personal and academic success that leads to economic independence. With a focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through education, Guadalupe Center is proud of the children's accomplishments: 95% meet or exceed kindergarten readiness measures, 100% of Tutor Corps high school seniors graduate high school and are accepted into college, and more than 94% graduate with a post-secondary degree.